Posts Tagged ‘internet addiction’

The Online Therapy Institute offers several venues to engage in vibrant discussion about bringing mental health and technology together. Online therapy, cyberpsychology, the use of the internet to enhance private practice, internet addiction and behavioral telehealth are but a few of the topics that pop up on our discussion boards.  We have groups and discussions located at LinksforShrinks, Facebook, Second Life, Linkedin and the Online Therapy Institute Social Network  Check out OTI on the Web!

For secure and encrypted communication with other Online Therapy Institute Clinical Members, consider joining and gain access to the OTI Member Forum. Clinical Members can staff cases and engage in peer supervision in a confidential environment.

See you online!

DeeAnna

While the debate rages on about whether or not internet addiction really exists or is an actual diagnosis, some people use the internet to the point that real world relationships become difficult to establish or maintain, tasks of daily living are effected and work is compromised.

More and more people are seeking psychotherapy and support for mental health issues online. Comfort with technology is closing the divide as access to quality services and navigation on the web becomes easier.

It might not be so unusual for someone who is struggling with an internet addiction to reach out for help on the internet. Determining whether or not this is a suitable approach should be on a case by case basis but let’s consider the following as a point for further thought:

A person who has a history of building unstable and untrustworthy virtual relationships may have the opportunity for a positive experience through therapeutic dialogue with a therapist via the internet.

This intervention may be as adjunct to an existing face-to-face relationship and the experience may be modulated as part of an overall plan. Or a person who may not consider face-to-face therapy may reach out on the internet when his or her life has become unmanageable. Interventions may be text-based via chat and/or email, videoconferencing/webcams or by using avatars in a virtual world such as Second Life.

What do you think?

DeeAnna

OTI has added an Events Calendar to the website to list conferences, conventions, workshops and other happenings related to online counseling, mental health and technology, internet addiction, and cyberpsychology. 

We will be glad to list conferences and conventions sponsored by organizations and universities so please give us a heads up at info@onlinetherapyinstitute.com. Members of OTI can list other workshops, keynotes, appearances or other events that meet the mission of OTI.   The OTI Events Calendar is accessible to the public with a search feature and an RSS feed for those who wish to subscribe.

We look forward to filling the calendar!  See you at an event soon!

DeeAnna Merz Nagel, co-founder of Online Therapy Institute, has been practicing counseling and psychotherapy face-to-face and online for many years. She has seen how technology has changed lives. With technology infiltrating work and leisure (and sometimes causing those lines to blur), she has added the use of technology as a specialty in her face-to-face practice. She assists her clients online and face-to-face, in understanding the impact of technology on their lives and the lives of people they love.  Internet addiction, social networks such as MySpace and virtual worlds like Second Life are changing the way many people exist day to day- some folks are impacted positively while others are having a difficult time managing.

She practices in Rumson, NJ and shares office space with Breaking the Chain Counseling and Lora Sasiela, a clinical social worker based in New York City and Rumson. With an array of specialties between them, Breaking the Chain Counseling, Lora Sasiela and DeeAnna Merz Nagel have much to offer the community. BBC helps identify patterns of unhealthy behavior and they facilitate breaking the chain, learning health ways to help individuals, couples, families and children communicate and grow. Lora assists people dealing with anxiety, depression, women’s issues and binge eating. In addition to technology and internet addiction, DeeAnna also assists survivors of abuse and people struggling with relationship issues and substance abuse.

With the added convenience of online counseling, DeeAnna is able to offer her face-to-face clients more flexibility in scheduling appointments and more availability during travel. If you are interested in working with DeeAnna, call her todayat 1.877.773.5591 for a free initial consultation.